Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), gestures during her speech on the final day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, January 23, 2026. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, on Friday congratulated the government for having “seriously” adopted the reforms planned under its program, saying they were already yielding results.
Speaking to ‘Pakistan TV Digital’ on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Georgieva said, “The Pakistani government has seriously embraced reforms and the fruits of action are already there.
“We are finally seeing that fiscal discipline brings resources that can be deployed to improve people’s lives.”
She said she looked forward to the continued implementation of the program, describing it as a Pakistani program.
Georgieva said the IMF has maintained constructive engagement with Pakistan for some time and expressed respect for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him serious. “When he gives his word that something will be done, it will be done,” she added.
Georgieva further said that the meetings with Pakistani leaders had been productive, with discussions focused on identifying areas for progress as well as those requiring further work, adding that the same approach was taken during the last engagement.
The IMF chief also praised the seriousness of the Prime Minister and his cabinet in pursuing difficult reforms for the better of the country.
His remarks come a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz met Georgieva on the sidelines of the WEF and briefed her on Pakistan’s improving economic indicators.
The Prime Minister briefed the IMF Managing Director on the improvement in macroeconomic indicators, efforts towards stability and progress in institutional reforms. He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal discipline, revenue mobilization and sustainable development.
The IMF Managing Director acknowledged Pakistan’s reform efforts and welcomed the progress made, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the pace of reforms to ensure long-term economic resilience.
The two sides also exchanged views on the global economic outlook, challenges facing emerging economies and the importance of multilateral cooperation to maintain economic stability.
